Lucha, Metro, y Palacio Real

Yesterday was el día de Tres Relles Magos, which is when most Spaniards have their Christmas. The Three Magic Kings gave presents to Jesus, so Spaniards exchange gifts. Since the Holiday was on a Sunday, today is a Bank Holiday. We pretty much had the day off to do whatever we wanted, so my roommate and I wandered around with two others from our program for a couple hours.

We went to El Corte Ingles, a huge department store that is found all over Madrid. The one we went to had seven stories and was full of people. Today was the first day of tons of sales, rebajas, in Madrid so the place was crawling with people. It was crazy! We left to sight see a little, and headed to Plaza de España. From there, we took the metro to Plaza Mayor and explored some in that area. Madrid is a huge city with so many places to see!

Congress Building

Later in the day ISA took us on a bus tour and we scouted out a bunch of places to visit while we are here. On the way to the meeting point for the tour, we saw a full on spanish fight break out in the middle of a small street right by our house. Two middle aged men were yelling and throwing punches at each other, and then one threw the other onto a car! Things were getting pretty intense so we got out of there fast. The bus tour drove around the main parts of the city center, and ended at the Palacio Real, Spain's Royal Palace where the King used to live. It is a huge place and soon we're going to tour it with ISA.

Palacio Real

Tomorrow is the placement test for the intensive month, and then classes begin on Wednesday! Everything is going well and I'm falling in love with Madrid.